Stafford Shakespeare presents: HAMLET
Stafford Shakespeare presents: HAMLET
Stafford Shakespeare presents: HAMLET
June 24 to July 5, Various times
‘To be or not to be, that is the question.’
Stafford Shakespeare proudly presents HAMLET in 2025.
Starring BENEDICT SHAW (Boat Story BBC, The Syndicate, Emmerdale) and directed by award-winning RICHARD CHESHIRE, The Bard’s twisty tale of madness, murder and revenge is one of his best-loved plays.
Hamlet returns home from university to find that, not only is his father newly dead, but that his mother, Gertrude, has quickly married his father’s brother, Claudius, who is now king.
The royal turmoil has led to threats of invasion and one night soon afterwards, the ghost of Hamlet’s father appears to him, accusing Claudius of his murder and urging Hamlet to revenge.
But how will Hamlet succeed? Thus begins a tale of madness, betrayal and revenge that threatens to destroy both kingdom and family.
Burnished with William Shakespeare’s most-quoted lines, this is a production that brings to life some of the most famous characters in history.
In keeping with the very best traditions of Stafford Shakespeare, it seeks to present one of The Bard’s best-loved plays in a fast-paced and accessible way to suit modern audiences.
‘It’s going to be something very special next Summer,’ Richard Cheshire, Director, HAMLET 
| Tue 24 Jun | 7 pm | £10 | Book | ||
| Wed 25 Jun | 7 pm | £28.50, £34 | Book | ||
| Thu 26 Jun | 7 pm | £28.50, £34 | Book | ||
| Fri 27 Jun | 7 pm | £28.50, £34 | Book | ||
| Sat 28 Jun | 2 pm | £28.50, £34 | Book | ||
| Sat 28 Jun | 7 pm | £28.50, £34 | Book | ||
| Tue 1 Jul | 7 pm | £28.50, £34 | Book | ||
| Wed 2 Jul | 7 pm | £28.50, £34 | Book | ||
| Thu 3 Jul | 7 pm | £28.50, £34 | Book | ||
| Fri 4 Jul | 7 pm | £28.50, £34 | Book | ||
| Sat 5 Jul | 2 pm | £28.50, £34 | Book | ||
| Sat 5 Jul | 7 pm | £28.50, £34 | Book |
HAMLET: PRINCIPAL CAST 2025
Hamlet
Benedict Shaw
A born and bred Staffordian, Benedict grew up in Rowley Park and attended Blessed William Howard High School. A boyhood member of the Gatehouse Youth Theatre, he has gone on to have a successful stage and TV career, appearing in BOAT STORY (BBC1), EMMERDALE (ITV1) Kay Mellor’s THE SYNDICATE.
Claudius
Sean O’Callaghan
Staffordshire-raised Sean trained at RADA and has worked on stage, TV and films for almost 40 years. His acting credits include HENRY V, ROMEO AND JULIET, RICHARD II (ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY), THE LAST ROMANTICS (BBC) and CASUALTY (BBC).
Gertrude
Ilinos Daniel
Ilinos is making her Stafford Shakespeare debut as Gertrude in HAMLET and comes with a host of acting experience over many years as a professional actor. She trained at Royal Holloway University of London and Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art and has appeared in TORCHWOOD (BBC) and THE LIGHT IN THE HALL (S4C, CHANNEL 4).
Ophelia
Amy Tara
Amy trained at the Arden School of Theatre and has recently appeared in feature films ASSASSINS GUILD, GROUPCHAT and DREAM (all 2024). Her stage credits include THE BORROWERS and INDIGO GIANT.
Polonius
Sean McKenzie
Hailing from the Staffordshire/Derbyshire border, Sean trained at RADA and previously played Lord Capulet in ROMEO + JULIET at Stafford Castle in 2022. His TV credits include VERA (ITV), BIRDSONG (Working Title) and BILLIONAIRE BOY (BBC). Other stage credits include THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME at the National Theatre.
Guildenstern
Lucinda Freeburn
Stafford Shakespeare ‘veteran’ Lucinda trained at the National Youth Theatre and this will be her third spell at the Gatehouse, having previously appeared in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM and TWELFTH NIGHT: A CORNISH TALE. A skilled violinist, other credits include ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS and THE NUTCRACKER (New Vic Theatre).
Laertes
Matthew Khan
Matthew stars as lead character Jared Jones in BBC’s WATERLOO ROAD. He can also be seen in the TV series of the New York Times Bestseller, A GOOD GIRL’S GUIDE TO MURDER which streamed globally to No. 1 on Netflix. He has also appeared in the hit Sky series BRASSIC.
Horatio
Alex Wadham
Staffordshire-born and raised, Alex has a long list of stage credits including A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM (Oddsocks) and THE MOUSETRAP. His TV credits include the hit show THE TOYS THAT BUILT AMERICA (History Channel).
Conor Price
Cast/Understudy
Cannock-based Conor wowed the creative team with his audition and will be making his professional debut in Stafford Shakespeare’s HAMLET. A graduate from the University of Staffordshire, he is artistic director of highly-acclaimed theatre troupe Lucid Spark, who premiered their STAR CROSSED FOOLS production at the Royal Shakespeare Company in 2024.
Richard Cheshire is a Senior Lecturer in Acting and Directing at Staffordshire University and also a vastly-experienced theatre director.
He has previously directed William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Merchant of Venice, The Winter’s Tale, Cymbeline, Pericles and Romeo and Juliet.
In 2000 he was invited to be an Adjunct Professor at Wesleyan College Virginia (USA) where he directed the USA premiere of Clare Luckham and George Stiles’s musical Moll Flanders.
In the UK, he has also directed productions of Lionel Bart’s Oliver!, My Fair Lady, Godspell, Our Day Out and Nicholas Nickleby.
As well as TV and acting credits, his work at the Gatehouse Theatre includes Snow White (2021), Cinderella (2022) and Beauty and the Beast (2023).
We offer discounts for groups attending our two dedicated school performances of HAMLET at 10.30am on June 26 and July 1.
Performances will last approximately 2hrs 30mins and prices are £12.00 per pupil, with one teacher free with every 10 schoolchildren.
Places can be booked on 01785 619080 and we can also help source transport options, if necessary.
Schools that book will also be able to meet some of the cast/creatives involved in the production, either beforehand or on the day.
In addition, we have a wide selection of education packs available (example here Hamlet Introduction Powerpoint) covering various Key Stages and age groups.
If you would like access to these, or have any queries or special requests, please contact the Box Office and we will do our best to accommodate you.
If you would like access to these, or have any queries or special requests, please contact the Box Office and we will do our best to accommodate you.
2 pm, 7 pm
£10, £28.50, £34
Dates, Times & Book
Stafford Gatehouse Theatre
To be or not to be, that is the question
Hamlet
